Yes! This is all great advice. I would also add a few other things.

- I recently went to a panel about women in journalism, and this concept of “fear” kept coming up. We all hate rejection, but it is part of the game. Every writer gets rejected, and you’re lucky if you get a response as to why — as this will only help you improve your next pitch. Think about it that way.

- Read, stay current, have favorite writers of novels, essays, blogs, etc. Follow people on Twitter. Twitter is content curated by people you respect. Think about it that way.

- Do more than one thing. That is, if you want to write, also learn how to do SEO or create B2B content. These clients definitely pay, which will help supplement your pittance as a budding writer.

and @shoot your writing group sounds awesome, let me know if you need more members!

I think Mridu Khullar has a very good blog and an excellent archive of info about how she got started, query letters that worked, etc. (She’s also a buddy of mine, so I’m biased.) She’s also younger than a lot of other bloggers who specifically cover freelance writing, which isn’t to slam anyone but might make her overall tone and experience a bit more relatable. She’s also a generalist, so she doesn’t just have advice for, say, business reporters. Other intro to freelancing writer blogs that come to mind are Dollars and Deadlines (which is written by a very kind and generous writer named Kelly James-Enger) and the Renegade Writer (I think that’s what it’s called). I also highly recommend my good friend Michelle Goodman’s books on freelancing, The Anti 9-to-5 Guide and My So-Called Freelance Life. Again, very biased because I love Michelle, but I read her books several years ago and found them to be enormously helpful as I was getting started.

Re: making freelancer friends, which I can’t emphasize enough and will thus talk about some more, look for folks in your area and invite them to coffee. Look for a writers group that does what you want it to do. (Mine, for instance, is about the business of freelancing. We talk about contracts and negotiating, not grammar. We all compare business plans — yes, we have them — and check in about monthly progress toward whatever goals we have, whether it’s income or byline. We’re also all ladies and cover diverse subjects, which seems to keep things extra interesting.) Go to media events, walk up to people, and introduce yourself, even if you think that sounds like torture. (People hire people they know, and this has actually worked for me.) Ask friends of friends out to talk shop. (The worst they’ll say is no!) Most importantly, always bring something to the table — a lead on a website looking for writers, editor contact info that you’re willing to swap for some of theirs. If you don’t have that to offer, think of how else you can helpful and invaluable. This might sound rude, but when other writers ask me to meet up, I always meet the people who graciously offer something. We’re professionals, you know? This is business. Likewise, when I want for a writer or editor to have lunch with me, I give them a good reason. “Hey, let me buy you coffee. I think you should connect with my editor at X magazine, and I can tell you more about what they’re looking for.” Make it hard to say no. Lots of people are willing to share friendly advice. It’s all about the approach :)

Just my two cents as a very happy freelancer with many happy repeat clients :)

Oh and PS — I don’t know a single person who uses CL or any of those sites that supposedly give you tips on which pubs to pitch. But that’s just me. Making friends with other freelancers and folks in your (desired) industry is a far better use of your time. Friends and colleagues give friends and colleagues tips and even gigs. It’s that simple.